Anglos not an oppressed minority? Give me a break

I don't know about you, but when I read a particular letter to the editor in The Gazette today, I was floored. The author is Brian Lipson and the headline reads, "English is not at risk, and anglos are not an oppressed minority".

Really?

First of all, Lipson in an American who lived in Montreal from 2003 until 2011. He's now a law student in Quebec City. With all due respect to the author, perhaps if he lived in Montreal longer, he would have a greater appreciation for what many Anglos go through.

Do I have to remind anyone about ticket takers in the metro who refuse to speak English? Or certain first responders who refuse to speak English?

As Lipson himself points out, the PQ government is doing all it can to strengthen Bill 101. He also points out that it hurts Francophones more because of fewer opportunities for those who don't speak, read or write English.

But that's what makes things worse overall for everyone.

Preventing more students from attending English school does hurt Francophones and immigrants but it also hurts the English school system because of declining enrolment.

There has been plenty of evidence of oppression towards the Anglophone community. And Lipson is simply wrong when he claims Anglos are paranoid and when he writes that it's not about Anglos.

Bill 101 is absolutely about everyone who lives in this province and to suggest otherwise is simply ignorant.

The majority of the immigrants that came in the 1950's and 60's only migrated to Montreal because the city had a bilingual status.It was the city of freedom.Ste-Catherine street looked like a major street in New York with it's wonderful buildings and many English signs.The economy was booming at its best and Montreal was the number one city in the whole of Canada.The downfall started in 1976 when Rene Levesque and the PQ took over and enforced the French language and culture.The majority of the big retail head offices moved out along with a good portion of the Anglo population.Montreal was never to be the same anymore,the economy suffered,tourism suffered,the English Language suffered and the once city of freedom has become a city of restriction.Lipson knows nothing and shouldkeep his comments to himself,he really knows nothing about what this city was and who built it.I believe that just like the students marched to halt their student fees,all those that have built this city and made it what it was should demonstrate that the English language is a must to keep in this city,it is the lifeline to it's survival as a major city in Canada especially Quebec.

It's not english that's at risk it's people's rights.If you would stop discriminating against people based on their language it would help.People could get together and protect rights equaly but because you promote discrimnation by labeling people based on their language you are as much a part of the problem as the P.Q or Liberals.

Since when do we need people who have stayed here for a short time, to become authorities and experts, and act as spokesmen for the Minority communities? Have we sunk so low that we cannot find someone from our own, born and bred here, who knows what has happened here over a lifetime?..And NOT a few years!

Why doesn't anyone talk about The Canadian Charter of Rights defending Quebec's discriminatory Law 101 and it's denying people equal access to "english" or "bilingual" education based on being "French" and in "Quebec,Canada.Who would want to be part of a country that denys you the right to learn the "majoriy" language

The Court rejected the claim. It held that the parents were not protected under the minority language rights provision in section 23 of the Canadian Charter. The Court also found that the equality right cannot be used to invalidate other rights under the Constitution; consequently there was no violation.

As it stands now the Canadian Charter defends the actions of Quebec's Law 101 denying equal access to "english" or "bilingual" education.

Barry....don't get unhinged on Lipson's letter. He feed's on reactions. ignore him. He wants him name in print (law student...right ? )I agree with him - English is not at risk. It is very rare that I meet anyone who is not able to communicate in English. After all, it is the # 1 language one would require to make headway in the modern world.But to legislate language policy and require people to behave one way or another depending on their language or heritage or culture is irresponsible and very dangerous..

Here's the good news Barry - 101 will decay no matter how it's tweaked. Plus as long as there are two of us paranoid Anglophones, it will be OK.